This Sausage and Peppers Hero is really one to write home about. Be sure to make the homemade marinara, if you can, you won't regret it. Simply amazing! Great with our without melted mozzarella...we, naturally, love it with the gooey melted cheese! So good!
4crispy Italian hero rolls6 to 8 inches long (cut the ends off, if you prefer)
Instructions
MAKE AHEAD OF TIME
Make the marinara sauce and then re-heat in a large pot, preferably a Dutch oven.
MAKE THE SAUSAGES
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
When the oil is hot, add the sausages and cook for about 4 minutes, turning occasionally to brown on all sides.
Using tongs, remove the sausages from the pan and set them aside on a platter.
Add the onions and reduce heat to medium, cooking the mixture, stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes, or until the onions have softened.
Add the basil, parsley and garlic to the pan and saute for about 2 minuteS.
Transfer the onion mixture the prepared marinara sauce.
Place the sausages and any accumulated juices in the pot and mix it well.
Simmer, uncovered, for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Season the sauce with a healthy pinch of salt and pepper and then set aside.
MAKE THE PEPPERS AND ONIONS
In a large saute pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
When the oil is hot, add the garlic and cook it for 1 to 2 minutes, or until starting to brown.
Add the onions and peppers and season with a healthy pinch of salt and pepper.
Saute them, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes, or until they soften and start to brown.
Add garlic, basil and parsley and cook for 1 to 2 minutes.
Reduce the heat to medium, cover the pan, and cook the mixture, stirring occasionally, for about 15 minutes, until the peppers and onions have softened and starting to caramelize. Set aside.
PREPARE THE SANDWICH
Turn your broiler onto high.
Open the rolls and place on a baking sheet and add a layer of marinara sauce on the bottom half of each roll. Then place a cooked sausage on the layer of marinara, and then a layer of peppers and onions, and then cover with sliced mozzarella.
Place under the broiler and cook until the cheese has started to melt and the bread is begining to get toasty on the edges. Remove and serve at once with more marina sauce on the side.
Video
Notes
Homemade fresh marina is always best, but quality store-bought will work, too.The marinara, sausages and onions can all be prepared a day in advance. Simply re-heat all component before assembling and toasting the sandwich.If you can't find Italian rolls, then go with a hoagie or submarine roll. They are softer and not authentic for an Italian hero, but will still be delicious. Watch closely once the hero's are under the broiler. Don't let them burn!